Multichoice, GMA sponsor journalists

Accra, July 7, GNA - Multichoice Ghana is sponsoring three Ghanaian journalists to cover this year's CNN Multichoice African Journalist of the Year Awards scheduled for Maputo, Mozambique, July 15. Mr. Sammy Veddi, a Senior Editor of the Ghana News Agency, Ms. Adwoa Serwaa Bonsu of Graphic Communications Group and Mr. Raymond Ahiadorme of the Business and Financial Times are benefiting from the sponsorship.

Additionally, the Global Media Alliance, whose Chief Executive, Mr Edward Boateng, is founder of the awards, is also sponsoring five Ghanaian journalists to participate in the programme. They include, Beatrice Akua Asamani, a Chief Reporter of the GNA, Ransford Tetteh, President of the Ghana Journalists Association, Kwaku Sakyi-Addo, Freelance Journalist, Ato Sam, Daily Guide, Kwame Sefa Kai of Peace FM and Sekyere Boateng of Happy FM.

At a ceremony to present tickets and other travelling documents to the journalists, Mr Samuel Baimbill-Johnson, General Manager of Multichoice, Ghana, said the gesture, which formed part of the company's social responsibility, was the second such assistance to media personnel to the awards ceremony.

He said: "Multichoice is committed to assisting in the development of media in Africa. By partnering with CNN in this high profile event, we are able to demonstrate our commitment to the journalistic community in Africa."

Mr Baimbill-Johnson explained that the three journalists were expected to share their experiences with other colleagues as well as sharpen their skills at the event, which would also include workshops and other programmes.

He said the journalists, upon their return would also be allowed to share the knowledge gained with colleagues. "If this arrangement works then the gesture will be repeated," Mr Baimbill-Johnson said. "It is our hope that each of our guests will come back home from the trip having learnt something new that they can use in the profession in Ghana and perhaps condition them to enter subsequent CNN Multichoice African Journalists Awards competitions."

Ms. Anne Sackey, Public Relations Officer, Multichoice, Ghana, urged Ghanaian journalists to attach importance to the competition and participate in it since the awards are prestigious and significant. Mr. Felix Forson, Acting Administrative Manager of the Ghana News Agency, who received the sponsorship package on behalf of Mr Veddi, thanked management of Multichoice for the gesture and expressed the hope that the three would be good ambassadors while in Maputo. They are expected to leave for Maputo on Monday.